Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Common Fire Code violations

Blatant violations of Fire Codes sends the "I don't give a damn about you!" message to your employees and customers. It is good business to stay squeaky-clean with regard to Fire Code compliance.

According to the DoItYourself website, the ten most common violations are:

Blocked passageways and exit doors: No, that aisleway is not a warehouse and I don't care if your employees are stealing frozen chickens...you cannot bar the fire door.

Illumination: Lights burn out. Have a set inspection frequency. Change them when they burn out. If you have to change more than two bulbs per inspection than you ought to consider increasing the inspection frequency. Batteries on emergency egress lighting can run down. Test them.

Fire Extinguishers. Some people have no self control when it comes to horseplay. If you still have air-over-water fire extinguishers, consider adding a dye to the water, especially during the hotter months. Pond dye is very economical. Do not obstruct access to fire extinguishers by placing furniture or stock baskets in front of them.

Fire Alarms: Test them.

Smoke detectors: Test them. Replace the batteries on a schedule. If somebody is stealing the batteries, find out who it is and kick their butt.

Extension cords (electrical): For temporary use only. Shall not be on floor (where they can be run over or cause a trip hazard), pass through a hole or lay against sharp edges, nor shall they be placed under carpets where they can overheat, nor used in applications where they will be frequently flexed.

Open electrical boxes: Receptacles and wall switches must have covers. Junction boxes must be closed....no, you cannot put your lunchbucket in them to warm up your lunch!

Clearance around electrical boxes: Varies by arc-flash potential. Four feet is a good minimum default.